The Eastsides expansive Gateway Green has finally reopened with new and improved cycling and hiking paths to explore.
The Eastside's expansive Gateway Green has finally reopened with new and improved cycling and hiking paths to explore. Friends of Gateway Green via Facebook

EverOut is The Mercury's new website devoted to things to do in Portland and across the Pacific Northwest. It has all the same things you're used to seeing from Mercury EverOut, just in a new spot!

What does one do with oneself while avoiding a plague smack dab in the middle of December? If you're at a loss, we have a new batch of social distancing-compliant ideas, from the return of Lan Su Chinese Garden and Gateway Green to places to go last-minute IRL shopping (like Music Millennium), and from places to get hot toddies and mulled wine (like the GlüBar pop-up) to Outdoor Skating at Lloyd Center. For even more options, read our guides to the best online events this week and the best movies to watch this week.

HOLIDAYS
Hit up local shops for last-minute holiday shopping. With Christmas only a week away, the shipping deadlines have passed to get gifts online from many Portland retailers in time for the holiday. Luckily, even in this weird year of COVID-19, many local shops are open for in-person shopping, so you can stop by and get your hands on the perfect gift. (Note that shop hours are subject to change and some places require appointments before you can shop, so it's always a good idea to call ahead before heading out.) Some ideas: Powell's (which, as you probably know, has lots of little gifts that aren't books), Music Millennium (which has rounded up their favorite albums of 2020 if you need some inspo), Jackpot Records, Providore Fine Foods ("a food lover's playground"), quirky furniture shop Lounge Lizard (and clothing store Lizard Lounge, for that matter, if you're after a very high-quality sweater), and MadeHere for a plethora of locally made goods. We could go on (House of Vintage, insect specimen emporium Paxton Gate, cool lightbulb palace Sunlan), but this should give you a head start. For more inspiration, check out our holiday gift guide—online orders may arrive after Christmas, but in the times we live in, we don't think it'll hurt to extend the festive season.

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